Legacy systems are the backbone of most of the world’s businesses. These systems were built decades ago and have evolved over time, but they are now facing new challenges, as shown in the example below.
A logistics company that uses an ERP application mainframe across the business with complementary task management cloud-based software and a third communication platform, faces a multiple data silo problem along with none of the applications supporting all components of the business model.
In this case, the company depends on its ERP-legacy system for most of its core business functions, but its scalability comes at a high cost and lengthy developing periods, holding back the business and its strategy to grow.
According to a survey (Figure.1) conducted by Deloitte on digital transformational challenges, legacy systems are high on the business challenges list.
From the above, we can safely assume that companies beyond the logistic industry face legacy systems challenges and start considering following legacy system modernization strategies.
Legacy system modernization approaches are a way to modernize legacy systems and make them more efficient. There are many different approaches to legacy system modernization. The management of the above logistics company has the option of rehosting their ERP, rebuilding or refactoring it, and rearchitecting it, before finally replacing it.
But which legacy modernization approach is the best? It depends on the business challenge each company is trying to solve.
Let’s discuss the different approaches on how to modernize legacy systems in detail.
1. API your ERP
Allow the legacy system’s functions and data stored or created, through an application programming interface (API), to be accessible as services, in solutions like Comidor Low-Code Automation Platform, that can leverage the application features and value.
- Pros: Intellectual data and organizational structure of information flow stay in the good old ERP legacy system.
- Cons: The quality of the knowledge created by the Low-Code solution depends on the data range and the form input in the legacy system.
2. Rehost
Keep the same functionalities and features and substitute the infrastructure which supports the legacy system, specifically going from an on-premises expensive and resource-limited installation to a cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution.
- Pros: Easier than the first choice, non-recurring maintenance cost, and instant scalability.
- Cons:
- In reality, no digital transformation takes place as the company must still navigate its business ambitions and strategy inside the legacy system’s hard-code limited functionalities.
- No Low-Code Automation empowerment
3. Re-platform
Make minimal changes to the legacy system code or design by re-platforming a component of the legacy system to a new BPM platform.
- Pros: Leverage the core business function that is most important for the business model with low cost and timely implementation.
- Cons: The business can not react to changes in its market or new challenges beyond the re-platformed component function area.
4. Rearchitect
The first actual step into digital transformation and a legacy systems modernization strategy. Make changes to the legacy system code according to the microservices model that can be built, deployed, and managed independently. Technologies in this area include PaaS (Platform as a Service) such as JPlaton.
- Pros:
- Exploit new and better capabilities of the legacy platform.
- Business agility and faster time to market
- Cons: Expensive consulting and slow reacting developing process from the legacy system megacorp solution provider.
5. Rebuild
This legacy systems modernization approach involves a full digital transformation approach. Start from scratch by rewriting the legacy system components and rebuilding its new functionalities. In other words, the business is going for a custom solution that will address its unique business challenges.
- Pros:
- It can be built as a cloud-native application from the start.
- Leverages new coding techniques with faster developing times, better security, and custom network protocols.
- Delivers the most value since it is core business functions oriented.
- Cons: Expensive consulting and slow reacting developing process from the legacy system megacorp solution provider.
6. Replace
(According to the 2018 Gartner survey- 2, with the participation of 71 Chief Strategy Officers: Old ways can’t help you grow)
Replacing the legacy system components with an out-of-the-box business app solution that allows constant rearchitecting options. This is achieved by a Low-Code BPM interface in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, like Comidor Low-Code Automation Platform.
- Pros: All the pros mentioned in the fourth and fifth legacy systems modernization approaches, plus the following:
- Always running the latest version without the need for updates,
- Cost savings and better security
- Shifting the support burden outside of the organization.
To sum up
Legacy systems modernization is a process that needs to be done to ensure that the company can comply with the changing business environment. However, Legacy system modernization should not be considered as an endpoint, but rather as a long-term process. It should be done in steps and with a legacy systems modernization plan in order to ensure success.
Legacy Systems Modernization for ATS
Legacy Systems Modernization for ATS